A documentary showing the reality of life after ballet superstardom.
Wendy Whelan offers an intimate portrait of prima ballerina Wendy Whelan as she prepares to leave New York City Ballet after a record-setting three decades with the company. One of the modern era’s most acclaimed dancers, Whelan was a principal ballerina for NYCB and, over the course of her celebrated career, danced numerous ballets by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, as well as new works by more modern standout choreographers like Christopher Wheeldon and Alexei Ratmansky many roles were made specifically for Whelan. As the film opens, Whelan is 46, battling a painful injury that has kept her from the ballet stage, and facing the prospect of her impending retirement from the company. What we see, as we journey with her, is a woman of tremendous strength, resilience and good humor. We watch Whelan brave the surgery that she hopes will enable her comeback to NYCB and we watch her begin to explore the world of contemporary dance, as she steps outside the traditionally patriarchal world of ballet to create Restless Creature, a collection of four contemporary vignettes forged in collaboration with four young choreographers.
Complimentary refreshments and a group discussion will follow the film.
$6 After Hours Members, $10 Non-Members
Phone: 630.968.0360
2017/08/28 - 2017/08/28
Tivoli Theatre
5021 Highland Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515
Downtown Downers Grove offers many FREE parking options to accommodate our customers. On-street parking at different hourly increments (15 min - 4 hr). Parking garage has free 4-hour parking on the first floor. All levels of the parking garage are free after 3 p.m. Monday - Friday & all day on weekends and holidays Commuter lots are free after 11 a.m. on weekdays & all day on weekends.